Harry Maguire’s Manchester United debut was quite the occasion for the Yorkshireman’s family.
The club handed over corporate box No 1 for their Old Trafford clash with Chelsea, and sources have told Sports Agenda that the group made the most of it.
‘There was so many of them in there that there was nowhere to put the food!’ they said, before adding: ‘They were a really nice bunch – you could tell they were all just delighted for him and really enjoyed the occasion.’
Meanwhile, members of Manchester’s paparazzi have so far failed to land a shot of England man Maguire without a red face.
‘He gets embarrassed when he sees us,’ said one photographer. ‘He’s clearly just a humble bloke who’s not used to the spotlight you get at United.’
Harry Maguire made his Manchester United debut against Chelsea at Old Trafford on August 11
Maguire speaks to some of his family members after England’s exit at the World Cup last year
NO QUESTION MARKS OVER CANTONA’S PERFORMANCE
The highlight of last week’s Champions League draw in Monaco was Eric Cantona’s acceptance speech, during which he quoted Shakespeare’s King Lear. It can be revealed that the Frenchman gave notice of what was coming in the pre-event briefing.
When asked what questions he would like to answer, Cantona replied: ‘I don’t answer any questions. I will speak.’
The only issue with Cantona’s subsequent words, which evoked memories of the famous ‘seagulls’ press conference, was that they were not heard by journalists at the Grimaldi Forum to cover the draw.
Sound issues with the televisions relaying events to the press room from the hall next door led to panicked calls to technical staff who quickly wheeled in speakers.
That meant those present got to see Cantona later dismiss a question from another interviewer back stage. When asked what the award meant to him the Frenchman responded abruptly: ‘Awards are subjective.’
Eric Cantona gave notice of what was coming in the pre-event briefing before bizarre speech
PCA BEAT PFA TO NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT
The Professional Cricketers’ Association have beaten their footballing counterparts at the PFA to the appointment of a new chief executive with an announcement on the successor to the outgoing David Leatherdale expected this week.
The PFA, on the other hand, appear content to give long-serving Gordon Taylor a long goodbye which could see him remain in charge for another 12 months, despite the fact that he announced his intention to stand down earlier this year.
SKY SPORTS CHIEF SCOTT UNDER THE COSH AFTER MONTH FROM HELL
Not the best couple of weeks for Sky Sports News’ interim chief Steve Scott.
Hot on the heels of the cock-up which saw an embargo around the Wales squad broken, the broadcaster attracted criticism for running an ill-judged countdown clock which ticked towards Bury’s expulsion deadline from the EFL.
While Sky insiders say others were responsible, each happened on the watch of Scott and increase pressure on the favourite to replace veteran Andy Cairns on a permanent basis. Highly-respected Comcast executive Francoise Champey is also a strong contender for the job.
LEACH FACES TAX BILL OVER FREE GLASSES AGREEMENT
Specsavers were quick to respond to a call from Ben Stokes to provide his fellow Headingley hero Jack Leach with free glasses for life. The optician may not, however, have seen the potential for the plucky tailender to be subsequently hit with a bill from HMRC, who never miss a trick.
A Specsavers spokesperson said they are continuing to work on the agreement and will make sure such issues are covered.
In 1975, unlikely Ashes star (and specs wearer) David Steele came to an agreement with the tax man after a local butcher had promised him lamb chops for every run up to 50 and then steaks for anything beyond. Steele joked that the eventual tally kept him going for two years.
England’s Jack Leach pictured cleaning his glasses during the Ashes Test at Headingley
£52M LORD’S RENOVATION BEGINS THIS WEEK
The rebuilding of the Compton and Edrich Stands at Lord’s is commencing this week. The estimated cost is £52million.
However, such figures inevitably rise and MCC has taken out loans for £6m against its assets, its three properties in adjacent Grove End Road – including the grace-and-favour house occupied by chief executive, Guy Lavender – in case this occurs because rebuilding is delayed.
These loans have been lodged at Companies House. If costs do rise, the rebuilding of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s offices inside the east gate will either be delayed or aborted.
CARROLL’S GAZEBO PLAN GOES BACK TO DRAWING BOARD
Andy Carroll’s bid to build an outside gazebo at the £4.7m six-bedroom Essex mansion he bought from Sir Rod Stewart has been booted out by planners.
The Newcastle striker’s sprawling Grade II listed pad already boasts a football pitch, tennis courts, a boating lake, swimming pool, stables and two-bedroom cottage.
But planners at Epping Forest Council ruled against the proposal despite no objections from neighbours, saying it would ‘detract from the building’s historical appearance and architectural character’, while a conservation officer also branded the development ‘alien’ and ‘chunky’.
Planners have rejected Andy Carroll’s plans to build an outside gazebo at his £4.7m mansion
CATES FORCED TO BACKTRACK ON RACISM QUESTION
Over on Sky Sports, viewers watching Saturday night’s Burnley versus Liverpool clash will have noticed another blunder while Kelly Cates was interviewing Virgil van Dijk.
The presenter appeared to be set to ask the Dutchman a question about Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma, who became the latest footballer to be targeted by racist morons on Twitter, before backtracking after apparently getting a message in her ear that Van Dijk did not want to speak about it.
Cates, who handled it well, said that she had been given false information.
Kelly Cates had to backtrack on asking Virgil van Dijk about Kurt Zouma being racially abused
ECB LOSE KEY FIGURE AS MOTLEY HEADS TO DUBAI
The England and Wales Cricket Board, under pressure to capitalise on this magnificent summer of cricket, has lost one of its most-valued members of staff.
James Motley, who left Sky at the start of the year to take on the daunting task of looking after The Hundred, is departing after less than 12 months in the role after his wife landed a top job in Dubai.
With contributions from Laura Lambert and Matt Hughes.